BY OLUFISOYE ADENITAN
Over time, persons with disability have witnessed series of discrimination, isolation and abandonment in every sphere of life.
Harmful traditional practices are always targeted at this group of people because of the mythology and peculiarities of their beings
Persons with disabilities encounter various challenges ranging from lack of access to Education, Health, relegation in social circle among others .
Women with disabilities also faced multiple challenges of discrimination and bullying due to gender bias and the peculiarities of being a disabled woman
In Nigeria for instance, Persons with Disabilities had been disenfranchised for many years due to lack of provision for them in the electoral system until recently when the present administration fully incorporated them into the electoral system.
This, many believed would enable them participate actively in the process through adequate provision of Braisse, magnified glasses among others aids.
The recent signing of the amended electoral Bill into law by President Buhari would also enhance their recognition in the electoral and political systems.
The constitutional duty and agenda setting role of the media make them critical stakeholders in the disability inclusion programmes.
To this end, media practitioners must understand the feelings of the disabled community and how to portray them to change public perception about the community.
As a way of achieving this, there is the need for improved media coverage to a reasonable percentage in the next few years on Disability inclusion,
Journalists and content providers need to demonstrate civic, ethical and Professional responsibilities towards the PWD community for inclusion and equity.
Media practitioners also to help change public views of PWDS from charity cases in form of destitutes to their intellectual, educated and valuable resources to the Nation’s development.
Journalists should be trained and guided in deeper understanding of disability space to enable them write from an informed and educated perspectives.
Media practitioners need a resource materials that would serve as a guide in it’s coverage of persons with disabilities, this would assist them in accurate and inclusive reportage of PWDS which will in turn amplify the right narrative about this set of people for a more equitable society.